Telecom major Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) would roll out its third generation (3G) mobile services in Orissa by March this year.
The 3G services would be first launched in Bhubaneswar and later in the district headquarters of the state. The telecom major is investing Rs 100 crore on infrastructure for the 3G services in the Orissa circle.
“Initially, we are putting up additional 15 towers for this purpose”, said SC Joshi, chief general manager (telecom), BSNL, Orissa circle.
Apart from broadband, BSNL’s 3G services would support high-resolution colour display, polyphonic sounds and built-in video cameras. The 3G services would also be useful for the e-seva kendras and the common facility centres being planned by the Orissa government, added Joshi.
Asked on the growth of BSNL broadband subscribers in the state, Joshi said, “At present, we have around 70,000 broadband subscribers in Orissa out of which nearly 17,000 are in Bhubaneswar. We expect to add another 20,000 broadband subscribers by the end of March this year.
BSNL also expects to add about two lakh mobile subscribers and 20,000 WLL (wireless in local loop) connections during January-March this year. The telecom service provider has around 7 lakh landline subscribers and 11.5 mobile subscribers in the Orissa circle.
